Virus Detection & Prevention Tips

 

"The absolute best anti-virus program on the market"
Jeffrey Herman, Executive Director & Webmaster for SAS
I receive no compensation of any kind for this endorsement.

 

• If you receive a file, an attachment, or link in an e-mail or an instant message, always make sure you know who sent it and that the person actually meant to send it. Modern malware can forge email addresses, infected computers can send email and instant messages without the owner’s knowledge, and if your friend or relative’s email or social networking account is hacked then the messages you get will not be from who you think they are.

• Delete chain and junk e-mail. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of e-mail are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.

• Do not download any files from strangers.

• Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file and test it with your own anti-virus software.

• Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 200,000 new threats are discovered each day, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.

• Keep your operating system and applications up to date with the latest security patches. The personal software inspector at www.secunia.com can help you determine what software you need to update on your computer. Check with your product vendors for updates. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at www.microsoft.com/security.

• Only update your software from the vendor’s website. If a web page tells you that you need a new version of Flash or some other program, always go to the actual vendor’s website to get your updates. Flash is an adobe product and can be updated from www.adobe.com.

• Never believe a web page that tells you that you need to install a codec to view a video. This is a trick to infect your computer.

• Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus or a hardware failure destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.

• When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats.

• If you are in doubt about any potential virus related situation you find yourself in, contact your anti-virus software manufacturer.


Protects the Society of American Silversmiths

Back to Home Page